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How do you plant grass


How to Plant Grass Seed

Planting grass seed is an economical and satisfying way to expand the green space around your home or improve your existing lawn. In order to enjoy successful grass establishment and all the benefits seeding offers, follow these eight steps to grow a lush, inviting green lawn:

  1. Choose the Right Time of Year
  2. Prepare the Site
  3. Prepare the Soil
  4. Choose the Best Seed
  5. Plant the Seed
  6. Water Appropriately
  7. Monitor Seed Establishment
  8. Mow and Maintain

The time of year you plant grass seed has a direct effect on its success. Proper timing helps ensure your grass seed will germinate properly, grow quickly and remain healthy while new seedlings become established.

The best time to plant grass seed varies according to your grass growing region and the type of grass you grow. Lawns across the northern tier of the United States typically consist of cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue or perennial ryegrass. Planting during cool weather in fall and spring coincides with the most active growth periods for these grass types.

In Massachusetts, for example, early fall is the ideal time to plant grass seed.1 At this time, the ground is still warm enough to aid germination, but the days are cool and sometimes rainy. This combination helps ensure newly planted seeds don't dry out. There's also sufficient daylight in early fall to allow new grass to thrive and become established before winter's arrival.

Spring seeding is your second best option for planting cool-season grasses. Aim to seed early in the season, but wait until daytime temperatures are in the 60 to 75 degree Fahrenheit range. This roughly corresponds to the optimal soil temperatures for cool-season grass seed germination. Spring sunshine and rain both contribute to strong grass growth.

For lawns across the southern half of the U.S., warm-season lawn grasses such as Bermudagrass, Zoysia grass, Bahiagrass and Centipede grass are the rule. These grasses are best planted during their optimal growth period, which falls in spring and early summer instead of fall. Wait to plant warm-season grasses until daytime temperatures stay near 80 F or higher and all danger of a late spring frost in your area has passed.


A healthy, attractive lawn starts with proper site preparation. Proper grading of the site prior to planting is important, as it helps ensure water drains away efficiently and allows for easy mowing. Sloping the lawn area away from buildings at a rate of 1 to 2 percent is recommended.2 Avoid creating steeper slopes, as they tend to cause lawns to dry out too quickly. Smooth the site well to avoid depressions, which can create wet spots that are hard to mow and prone to disease.

If you intend to replace the entire lawn, it's important to do a thorough job of removing the old turf. Use a sod cutter to take out the old grass at the roots. Another option for clearing the area is to spray the lawn with a non-selective herbicide, which kills both grass and broadleaf plants. If you choose to spray, follow label instructions for your product closely and avoid any contact with grass or plants you want to keep.

After the product's designated waiting period, reapply as needed to kill any remaining grass. Once you're certain that the turf you want to replace is dead, clear the dead grass from the site and make any needed adjustments to the grade to prepare for seeding.

Optimum soil conditions boost successful seed germination and support healthy turf growth. To prepare your soil for planting, do the following:

To succeed at growing a healthy lawn, it's important to buy quality grass seed that is well-suited to your climate and your growing conditions. Premium, purebred Pennington Smart Seed grasses are water-conserving, drought-resistant and developed for superior performance in home lawns.

Whether you grow warm-season or cool-season grasses depends primarily on where you live. Warm-season lawn grasses are best suited to southern climates and grow most vigorously during the warm months of the year. They typically go dormant and brown in the winter. Cool-season grasses are typically used in northern and transition zone lawns, growing best where summers are moderate and winters are cold. They remain green all year, but can go brown and dormant in heat and drought.

In many areas of the country, you can opt for a mix of seed specific to your region. Smart Seed mixes are designed for lawns in the Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Northwest and Pennsylvania State. If you're growing lawn grass in shade, choose a grass seed product such as Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade, which is formulated especially for challenging low-light conditions. For lawns with variable shade and sun, Pennington Smart Seed Sun & Shade provides the solution you need.

Once amendments are complete and your soil surface is smooth and prepped, broadcast the seed evenly according to your seed product's recommended seeding rates. Remember to carefully review the seed package label instructions and follow the guidelines. Misapplication of seed can lead to unsatisfactory results.

Choosing the right type of spreader for your situation helps you get the results you need. A drop spreader drops seed straight down in a path the width of your spreader as you move across your lawn. This type of spreader maneuvers well in tight spaces and is ideal for small lawns (less than 5,000 sq. ft.), which typically require more precision in where the seed lands.

A broadcast or rotary spreader comes in walk-behind and hand-held types that spread seed by fanning it out in all directions, providing more uniform coverage. These spreaders are ideal for large lawns, but they lack the precision drop spreaders provide.

Once you finish spreading the seed, use a rake to lightly work it into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch. Don't bury the seeds any deeper; grass seed needs adequate light to germinate quickly. After raking, pass over the area with a roller, which helps ensure the good seed-to-soil contact your new seed needs.

Overseeding is the process of planting grass seed into an existing lawn. This is done to improve your lawn's overall look and health, thicken your grass, minimize weeds, fill in bare or damaged areas, or convert to another type of lawn grass. Also, southern lawns are often overseeded with a cool-season grass to provide green color during winter months. When overseeding, broadcast the seed over the lawn, and water it in well, following the same instructions as for new lawns.

Keeping grass seeds and seedlings constantly moist but not soggy is critical to successful grass-seeding efforts. Water newly seeded areas two to three times a day with a light spray to keep the seeds moist. Stop watering when puddles begin to appear on the soil surface. Once the seeds germinate and grass seedlings begin to grow, gradually transition to watering less frequently but more heavily. Taper off watering as the grass becomes taller and more mature.


Depending on the type of grass you're growing, germination may take anywhere from five to 21 days. Expect your new grass to take another four to 10 weeks to root well and become established. It will take a full season for most grasses to mature to the point where they're ready for steady foot traffic.

Once your new seedlings reach about 1 inch in height, examine the newly seeded area for any bare spots or places you may have missed. Reseed the bare areas, and repeat the process as needed until new seedlings are thick and you're satisfied with the results.

Once your grass reaches 3 inches high, it's ready to withstand mowing. Always follow best practices for mowing lawns, including the recommended mowing heights for your type of grass. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing or you can stress your grass and invite lawn disease, lawn weeds and weak growth. With fall-planted cool-season lawns, your first mowing may need to wait until the following spring.

During the first season of establishment, young grass is still tender, so avoid as much foot traffic as possible. Keep your grass growing strong with regular maintenance, including irrigation. Water as needed to supplement rainfall so your lawn receives about 1 inch of water per week under normal conditions.

Begin fertilizing cool-season lawns four to eight weeks after seed germination, but never later than November. For warm-season grasses, wait until the following spring to feed your new lawn. After initial feedings, you might need to fertilize up to four times a year, according to your soil test recommendations. Retest the soil every three to four years, and adjust accordingly.

Conclusion

By choosing the best grass for your region and your lawn's conditions — and following these simple guidelines — planting grass seed is a straightforward project that will transform for your yard. Pennington is dedicated to providing you with the resources and premium products you need to grow lush, beautiful turf. You and your family and friends can enjoy all the benefits of a beautiful, natural lawn.

Total Time Required to Transform Your Lawn: 6-12 weeks, depending on the region, weather and grass type.

How hard you'll have to work on a scale of 1-4: 3 (a little work goes a long way especially during the prep phase)

Time breakdown:

Pennington and Smart Seed are registered trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.

Sources:

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst, “Lawn Renovation and Overseeding."

2. Ricigliano, D., "Lawn Establishment, Renovation and Overseeding," University of Maryland Extension, 2016.

3. Nathan, M. and Fresenburg, B., "Soil Testing for Lawns," University of Missouri Extension, June 2008.

4. Grande, J., "Seeding Your Lawn," Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, February 2004.

How to grow grass from grass seed the easy way

Planting grass seed is a way to expand your lawn into new areas and maximize the green space around your home. You can also plant new grass seed to improve your current lawn if it’s looking a little dingy. You can even use grass seed to restart your lawn completely. 

Before you seed, start with some quick and easy prep work.

Make sure it’s the right time of year for seeding

As an easy rule, if you’re experiencing (or are about to experience) harsh temperatures you’ll want to wait until the extreme weather passes to plant your grass seed for best results.  

Either spring or fall is the best time to plant, based on your region and grass type. To keep this simple, if you’re in the northern part of the country, you’re likely in the ‘cool season’ area, meaning the best time to plant grass seeds is the fall, or typically September through November. If you’re in the southern or middle regions, you’ll likely want to plant in spring or early summer, typically March – June.

Trying to plant seed out of season may still be possible, but it can make for slower growing and hurt the chances of the new grass’s survival. Just something to keep in mind.

Use the right type of grass seed for your area

Using the same regions shown above, you’ll want to buy a grass seed type that grows best in your climate.

Pennington’s article on grass types based on more specific regions may be helpful if you’re still trying to decide.

Supplies you’ll need

Assuming that the timing is right, here’s what you’ll need to buy.

Grass seed

We recommend shopping on Amazon, Home Depot, or Lowes for fast and convenient selections. Home Depot will probably be able to provide more insight if you feel you’re still questioning what grass type or how much to buy.

Check out this article on the Spruce for the best grass seed picks in 2020.A pH Tester 

This will be used to test your soil before adding the seed. You can find these on Amazon for around $10.

Grass feeder (aka fertilizer)

Once planted, the seed will need to start growing quickly, before surrounding weeds out-grow and kill it. Grass feeder should be applied right after the seeds are planted, so be sure to add this to your cart as well.

Here are the top 10 lawn fertilizers of 2020 based on BestReviews.Guide

Lawn soil

To protect the seeds from blowing away, being burned by the sun, eaten by birds, etc. you’ll want to bury the seeds under a layer of nutrient-dense soil, like Scotts turf builder. Local nurseries and Home Depot or Lowes will have soil available, just make sure to explain your use before buying, to avoid any soil with weed seed.

3 easy steps to plant grass seed
Step 1:
Prepare the surface of the lawn

Whether you are seeding for the very first time or just overseeding your existing thinned out lawn, you need to make sure you have a good, solid foundation. Make sure to remove weeds, rocks, sticks, and other debris from the lawn. 

Check any uneven areas so you can try to level the ground before laying down any seed. This will help prevent water from collecting and pooling in low areas, which will cause the seed to rot.

Loosen the soil

If your soil is compacted, you will need to loosen at least the top four inches of soil. You can use a tiller or rake. This will allow air flow and will provide the best chance for vigorous growth.

You can also scatter out a thin layer of topsoil over the lawn at this stage. Since it is freshly laid, it will not be compacted, allowing good airflow. Make sure to keep enough left for coverage at the end. 

Applying topsoil will also level out the lawn for a nice and even look, which will also help you avoid puddles when you are watering. If you encounter divots or holes, this is a good time to fill them in to prevent problem areas once the grass starts growing.

Step 2: Enrich your soil with nutrients to help grass seeds grow

If you’re planting new grass seed because your lawn is dead or struggling to grow, there may be deeper issues to address with your soil.

This is where you’ll need to get out your pH tester. Ideally, the pH for most grass types is between 6.0 and 7.0. 

If your soil’s pH is under 6.0, it is too acidic, meaning it needs nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. Lime (aka limestone) can be applied to the soil to help increase the soil pH and make those nutrients more available.

If your soil’s pH is above a 7, add compost, peat, sulfur, or fertilizer to lower the pH.

Step 3: Lay and feed the grass seed 

When laying down seeds, you must do a pretty heavy application for a brand new lawn.  Try to maintain an even application over the entire area so that everything gets covered.

Alternatively, you need lighter coverage when overseeding an existing lawn. Put more grass seed in sparse areas to promote growth.

To lay the seed, you can just use your bare hands or a spreader for larger areas. 

Cover up the seeds or work the seeds into the soil 

When seed is only applied to the surface level of the ground, it will dry out quickly and will not germinate. It might also get washed away by water or wind.

Add another thin layer of the soil that you purchased onto your lawn to bury the seeds. 

If you do not have soil to put on top of the seeds, the seed must be worked into the soil; about ⅓ to ½ inch deep. After sowing the seed, use a rake to work the seed into the soil and smooth the surface. 

This will keep the water from evaporating immediately, thus keeping the ground moist. It also protects the seeds from wildlife. 

Add your feeder

Once the seed is applied to the soil, treat the yard with fertilizer to accelerate growth.

Maintaining your lawn after seeding
Water every single day

The final step in successfully planting grass seed is to keep the lawn adequately moisturized all the time. This is very crucial in the process.

If the seed dries out, it will die. After sowing grass seed, they will need constant and frequent watering unlike the “water deeply and less frequently” watering for mature grass. This is to help the seed germinate and develop its root system for a healthy lawn.

On the other hand, overwatering will hinder the germination process as well, so you need to use just enough water to keep the soil moist at seed depth. It should be moist, never soggy. 

You must commit to water the new or overseeded lawn at least two to three times every single day to keep the top inch of the soil moist at all times. The germination time for grass seed ranges from 5 to 30 days depending on the variety or longer in cooler temperatures.

Check moisture levels

Once the seedbed has started to establish itself and sprouts have begun to pop out, continue to check the ground’s moisture regularly. If you notice it getting dry, add some water.

Remember, these new grass seedlings have very short roots and they will still require very frequent watering so the roots can spread out. Steps one and two will just go to waste if the watering part will not be done appropriately, so your commitment is a must!

For after-care, whether you have seeded a new lawn or just filled in a bare spot, start mowing your grass after 8 weeks or until the grass has reached a mowing height. Do not cut it too short and do not cut more than one-third of its height as it will stress out the grass.

FAQs
How long does new grass seed take to grow?

Generally speaking, it takes between 7 and 30 days for grass seed germination to begin.

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on top of your existing lawn?

While it’s possible to simply sow the new grass seed over your existing lawn, taking the time to prepare your lawn beforehand will increase the likelihood of seed germination and improve your end result.

Will grass seed grow if I just throw it down?

Probably not. Some seeds on the soil’s surface will sprout, but the germination rate will diminish, and you will not be left with ideal results. 

Will grass seed germinate on top of soil?

It depends how loose your soil is. Grass seeds are not strong enough to grow through soil. They’re meant to be placed on top of loose, prepared soil. Germination can quickly suffer from too much soil on top of them.

Total

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How to plant lawn grass - do-it-yourself lawn preparation

So! You have decided to get a lawn in your area. A reasonable question arises - when and how to plant lawn grass?
Let's start in order.

Content:

How to choose lawn grass
When to sow lawn
Preparing the soil for lawn grass
How to plant lawn grass yourself
How to care for lawn grass
Seasonal lawn care

How to choose lawn grass

The decisive issue for the choice of lawn grass mixture is its intended purpose. Usually the name of the lawn grass that you see on the packaging speaks for itself. For example:

Sports turf is a turf for high traffic areas. It can be sports and playgrounds, playgrounds for active games of dogs. Such a lawn is resistant to trampling, but grows quickly, which requires frequent mowing. nine0004

Parterre lawn - a lawn with a decorative function, serves as a backdrop for solitary plants and flower beds. It has a bright color and a beautiful sheen. Requires regular watering and space open to sunlight.

Dwarf Lawn is a lawn that contains low growing, slow growing grass species, making it easy to care for and minimizing the need for mowing. It is more often used as decorative, because it is subject to trampling. nine0004

Slope Turf - In this lawn, the grasses are selected to form a strong root layer (turf) that is able to hold the soil on the slope and prevent erosion.

When to sow lawn grass

In central Russia, lawn grass seeds can be planted immediately after the snow melts (late April - early May) and until the very end of the confidently warm season (usually October). In a later period, it is not recommended to sow the lawn, since the plants will not have time to fully get stronger before wintering, and as a result, in the spring it will be necessary to oversow, or even re-sow the lawn. nine0004

The most favorable period for sowing lawn grass is the end of April - May and September - the beginning of October.

If fresh fertile soil is brought in, it is worth waiting 1-2 weeks before sowing. After spilling the soil, wait 3-4 hours, then sow the lawn.

If sowing lawn grass is carried out in the summer, it is worth waiting for rainy cloudy days.

Do not overdo it with watering. Before germination - watering every day, then no more than 1 time per week. nine0004

The first lawn mowing is done when the grass is about 15 cm high.

Before planting the lawn, a drainage system must be established, and, if provided, an electrical supply system and an underground irrigation system.
In order for the lawn to look perfect, it is necessary to level the soil. The slope can be 1-3% to facilitate surface water runoff. A large lawn area can be given a greater slope, but not more than 30%.

Soil preparation for lawn grass

Weed removal

Removing weeds will ensure friendly seedlings, improve the appearance of the lawn and make it easier to further care for it.

Weed control methods:

Freezing is the death of underground parts of weeds in winter. To do this, in the fall it is necessary to carry out deep digging of the soil. nine0004

Suffocation - a long-term method based on repeated cutting of weeds at a shallow depth (harrowing for 2-3 years), the effect is achieved by exhausting the rhizome.

Provocation - a couple of weeks before sowing, it is necessary to prepare the soil, and when a lot of weed sprouts appear, they are loosened on the surface, thereby destroying them.

Mulching - covering the soil, depriving weeds of light. For this purpose, ripened compost is well suited, and crushed bark under trees and shrubs. nine0004

New primer is the most effective, but laborious and more expensive method. Removing the old soil and laying out the new soil with a drainage system - the soil is removed to a depth of 30 cm and laid out in layers: crushed stone, sand and black earth, and a rolled lawn is laid on top or seeds of lawn grass mixture are sown.

Herbicides - Weeds must be treated when they are actively growing, but must not be mechanically damaged. Within 5-10 days, the herbicide spreads over the entire area of ​​the plant and after 20-30 days the plant dies entirely. Approximately 15 days after the action of the preparation, the land can be cultivated. Herbicides are best applied in the fall if lawn grass is planned to be planted in the spring. nine0003


Plots on which weeds have already been removed, it would be good to protect from those that have not yet been processed.

The surface of the soil under the lawn must be leveled - there should be no mounds or holes. As a result, water will accumulate in the pits, which will lead to wetting of the grass, and the bumps will make it difficult for the lawn mower to work.

Soil fertility

The thickness of the fertile layer for the proper development of lawn grass should be at least 10 - 15 cm.
The soil should be improved, depending on its characteristics.

The soil mixture and all its components should be mixed well and embedded in detail into the soil, loosened to a depth of about 40 cm, so that the lower layers do not subsequently move upward. When carrying out these works, it is necessary to remove from the ground all parts of plants that have previously been treated with chemicals, and their roots must also be carefully removed.

In order to make it convenient to care for the edges of the lawn, it is better to fix them. Borders are usually decorated with materials such as gravel, crushed stone or pebbles. You can also use a stone border or tile - this will also look advantageous in a decorative way, and will give you access to mow the edges of the lawn, which will make mowing much easier. nine0004


How to sow lawn grass with your own hands


How to care for lawn grass


During the period of growth of a young lawn, it needs to be provided with: nine0004

A lawn is considered mature and mature after 2-3 seasons after sowing.

Seasonal lawn care


How to sow lawn grass with your own hands: video and photo

A lawn is a piece of land with artificial grass cover. For its sowing, specially selected seeds are used. In addition to the decorative function, lawns also perform a practical role - it is pleasant to spend outdoor activities and play sports on them. You can decide which lawn to plant in the country and find out how to sow grass for the lawn by studying our instructions. nine0004

How to sow a lawn with your own hands - video

What types of lawns exist

1. Artificial - since the installation of lawns from real grass requires a lot of time, the practice of creating coatings from polymeric materials has appeared.

2. Ornamental:

3. Sports turf - a dense elastic turf cover of grasses resistant to trampling. A classic example is the football field.

4. Special purpose lawns - prevent soil erosion on road slopes, slopes, river and canal banks. For this, geotextiles and rolled lawn are used. nine0004

What is the best lawn to plant? The classic option is the ground floor. It looks neat and does not require special conditions for care. Recently, Mauritanian lawns and herbs have been popular - they give the site originality. Some use turf (turf in rolls), but most still prefer to sow the lawn from scratch.

How to plant a lawn with your own hands

Planning

How to make a lawn on an unmarked area? First, draw its diagram. Consider the location of trees, flower beds, paths and other landscape objects so that they do not interfere with grass cutting. Lay the distance from the lawn to the paths at least 1 meter - it will be more convenient to work with a lawn mower. How to plant a lawn under the trees? Use ground cover plants such as clover, wood chips, or rock chips. nine0004

Lawn preparation, grass selection

After the site is prepared, it is left for 1-2 months under steam. At this time, seeds for the lawn are selected by variety. To do this, take into account the climate, soil composition, illumination. For shaded areas choose a shade-tolerant mixture of herbs. To put a car on the lawn, buy a variety that is resistant to physical stress or use a special lawn grate.


How to sow the lawn: instructions

When to sow the lawn? There are almost no restrictions on this - you can do it from mid-April to early September. Mineral fertilizers for the lawn are applied before sowing. The surface is again loosened. When planting a lawn in the spring with your own hands, consider the weather: it must be dry and calm, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve uniform sowing. A special planter or seed distributor improves seeding quality.

How do you plant a lawn without these tools? nine0020 Sow the plot by hand first along and then across. Approximate consumption of seeds - 30-40 g/m 2 .

How to make a lawn in the country, if there is a peat mixture or mulch? Spread the material evenly over the surface to get a thickness of 1.5 cm. After that, walk on the ground with a roller - this will compact the soil and help the seeds germinate faster.

How to grow a good quality lawn? One of the secrets of success is abundant and timely watering. Water the crops with a fine rain and do it every day in the future - small drops will not erode the soil and wash off the barely established sprouts. nine0004

How to sow the lawn correctly? Keep the topsoil always moist. If everything is done correctly, the grass will sprout in a week. If in some areas the grass has not broken through, they are oversowed.

How to care for your lawn

1. Water your lawn - Daily during hot weather. It is best to organize automatic watering of the lawn. This is the secret of how to properly plant a lawn in a dry summer. nine0004

2. Shearing is carried out when the grass has grown by 8-10 cm. Only the tips (1-2 cm) are cut off - thanks to this, the root system develops, new shoots grow, the grass cushion becomes thicker. Further frequency and nature of mowing depends on the type of grass, weather and season. Lawn mowing is done once a week. Its intensity is reduced in spring and autumn, since at this time the intensity of shoot growth decreases. The first spring mowing is carried out when the grass grows by 10 cm. Such a lawn is mowed by 1/3 - this will allow it to quickly recover after the winter. To avoid damaging the grass, make sure your lawn mower blades are sharp. nine0004

3. Lawn aeration is another important activity. It is performed to improve the access of oxygen, water and nutrients to the root system. To do this, holes are made in the sod. The event is held once a year for normal turf. In temperate latitudes, the lawn is aerated in autumn, in warm latitudes - in spring.

How to make a lawn on a site that is heavily trampled? Give aeration a special role - do it more than twice a year. Thanks to this, you can even organize parking on the lawn. In this case, a special tile or mesh for the lawn is used. Because some lawns are large, aeration can be tricky. Depending on the size of the site, choose the right aerator for the lawn. Sandals for lawn aeration can act as it. The verticutter for a lawn will provide big productivity. nine0004


4. Lawn Fertilizer - Periodically apply mineral fertilizer to the soil with a spreader. If you feed on time, you won’t have to worry about how to sow the lawn.

What determines the cost of lawn seeds?

  • Seed variety - seed turf with special properties, such as resistance to shade or trampling, more expensive than usual. nine0132
  • Composition - the more complex it is, the higher the price.
  • Country of origin — lawn grass from a domestic company will cost less than lawn from a foreign manufacturer.

    • How to make a lawn: mowing frequency

    Timely mowing provides the lower part of the plants with sunlight. If this is not done on time, spots will appear on the lawn. The frequency of the event depends on the time of year, the weather and the type of lawn. Determine the optimal height of the grass - when the length of the leaves exceeds the required value by 1-2 cm, then it is time to mow it. nine0004

    How to make a beautiful lawn with your own hands? Just mow it once a week, it is allowed to mow the lawn twice during the period of active grass growth.

    Learn more